League Cup Final Against Arsenal! Tang Long Vowed to Win the First Trophy of His Manchester City Career!
Manchester City secretly gave Fernando a hush money payment that he couldn't refuse.
Faced with the Premier League League's investigation, Fernando remained tight-lipped, refusing to say anything about what happened at Toure's house that day.
Therefore, Manchester City's press conference this time also appeared very assertive.
They claimed the recording was completely fabricated and that all rumors about discord in the club's locker room were false.
Executives from City Football Group, the parent company of Manchester City Football Club, personally showed their support for Tang Long at the release event.
The Abu Dhabi United Group behind the scenes also issued a firm order.
Tang Long is the club's most valuable asset on its financial statements, with immense potential for future appreciation. His competitive form must not be affected by external interference.
Therefore, the Premier League League's follow-up investigation into this matter came to nothing.
However, afterwards, Berrada, the business director who was particularly concerned about Tang Long's growth, called him into his office alone and gave him a warning.
The warning was not about his conflict with Fernando.
In Berrada's view, a mere Fernando was completely insignificant.
"Tang, I can tell you in advance that there will be a huge personnel upheaval in the locker room next season, but in the months leading up to that, you should try to keep a low profile."
"Be especially careful of the people around you. Don't attend any gatherings with your teammates these days, and try to stay home as much as possible."
"You have to believe me, once the team successfully finishes this season, your era will just begin!"
In Manchester City Park.
Tang Long and Diletta were walking along the lake.
Manchester had its last snowfall of the year at the end of February.
The temperature was very low on the day the snow melted, and the park was almost deserted this evening.
Diletta wore a thick floral checkered scarf, and a white down jacket that concealed her long legs, along with snow boots that didn't reach her ankles.
As she kicked at the snow on the ground, she smiled and said to Tang Long:
"I never would have guessed. I thought you were a very well-behaved boy. I never imagined you would hit someone."
Tang Long bent down, rolled a snowball from the ground, and then threw it hard at the lake.
The snowball, like a hand grenade, traced a sharp arc in the air before crashing onto the bridge pier on the lake with a "thud," shattering into pieces instantly.
"I'll beat him up, that son of a Fernando, he's a bully who relies on his master's power, I'll beat him up!"
Tang Long's curses came out in Chinese, leaving Diletta completely bewildered.
"What did you say?"
"Haha, I mean, Gündoğan is my man. Fernando humiliated him in front of so many people, he's asking for it, of course I have to protect Gündoğan," Tang Long said in Italy.
Tang Long's masculine words caused a glint of admiration to flash in Diletta's beautiful blue eyes. She wrapped her down jacket tighter and moved closer to Tang Long beside her.
She smiled and said, "If someone tried to bully me like that, would you protect me too?"
Tang Long's expression hardened.
"What, did you crawl between someone's legs on Sky Sport?"
"What nonsense," Diletta chuckled, "I'm just very busy. I have to shoulder the management responsibilities of the deputy director and also produce frontline programs."
Since Diletta moved from the London headquarters to the Manchester branch, she has been working longer hours and taking on the work of three people. While her colleagues were slacking off, she was working hard.
She also said that some colleagues were gossiping about her, saying that she was taking a high salary from management and also wanted to receive a program allowance for "Weekly Premier League," which was trying to take away their jobs as frontline employees.
Tang Long stood with his hands on his hips as a gust of cold wind blew past.
The hem of the black trench coat billowed high, waving against the golden, shimmering lake surface under the setting sun.
He knew this move looked cool, so even though his stomach felt chilly from the cold wind, he forced himself to stop trembling and steady his breathing as he spoke.
Tang Long looked up at the lake and said generously:
"There's an old saying in our country: 'The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.' Diletta, in your work, you must be brave enough to fight against all obstacles!"
Having worked for many years, Diletta was a seasoned professional, and upon hearing Tang Long's words, she immediately found them quite amusing.
I was just venting to you, when did I ever need your guidance?
She reached out and closed Tang Long's open trench coat.
"Oh my, that sounds nice, but have you ever had a job, you 19-year-old?"
"Of course I've worked. Playing football is just like going to work. You guys get a holiday for Christmas, but I'm still working."
"Okay, then tell me, what are your job responsibilities for next week?"
"Of course, it's the EFL Cup final against Arsenal."
Diletta pulled her plaid scarf down further, revealing her sharply defined jawline, and said seriously to Tang Long:
"No, it's about winning the game against Arsenal and taking the EFL Cup. You need to use a championship to silence the slander against you."
Tang Long said, "Of course. By the way, since you have more work experience than me, can you help me analyze who was the mole who leaked the recording at Toure's house that day?"
Diletta said, "I don't know, but the only thing I can remind you is that this person might not be targeting you, but the club; he's retaliating."
EFL Cup Final: Manchester City vs. Arsenal
The match will be held at Wembley Stadium!
This match has garnered significant attention, not only because of the long history of the EFL Cup, but also because many are focused on Tang Long.
The Premier League League's investigation into the Tang Long and Fernando incident has been terminated.
Manchester City also issued a strongly worded statement.
So when Tang Long appeared on the matchday squad for this EFL Cup final, everyone gasped in surprise.
He's back!
Tang Long is finally back.
Upon their return, they immediately faced a battle for the championship.
How did he perform?
Has his mindset been affected by this incident?
Tang Long has remained silent. What were his responses in pre- and post-match interviews?
This is definitely a major highlight for gossip enthusiasts.
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger also made a bold statement at the beginning of this season.
"Arsenal far removed from championships is not the Arsenal we know!"
"Arsenal are competing on multiple fronts this season. I assure you, we will definitely win at least one trophy!"
However, Arsenal's current situation regarding their multi-front offensive is not optimistic.
As for the league, there's not much to say; they faltered early on and lost their chance to compete for the championship.
As a team that has never won the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal's obsession with the UEFA Champions League is exceptionally deep.
However, Arsenal lost 0-2 to Barca at home in the first leg!
Lionel Messi scored twice, silencing the Emirates Stadium crowd.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they have no chance in the second round either.
The future of the UEFA Champions League looks bleak.
With the league, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League all out of reach, the only remaining hope lies in the EFL Cup.
Arsenal certainly lived up to expectations in the EFL Cup this season, fighting their way through the competition to reach the final against Manchester City.
Wembley Stadium in London has always been a lucky place for Arsenal, where they have won the FA Cup.
Furthermore, Arsenal is based in London and plays at Wembley Stadium, which is practically their home ground.
So when Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger saw that Tang Long had missed the first leg of the Champions League match against Inter Milan due to the Premier League's involvement in the investigation into the Manchester City violence incident, he felt like he wanted to do a long knee slide on his living room wooden floor!
"With Tang gone, I'm absolutely confident I can beat Manchester City!"
It was initially thought that Tang Long would be troubled and would be out for at least a month or two, but unexpectedly, Tang Long made a quick return after just one game, and that return was against Arsenal.
Wenger was so angry he was practically spitting blood!
He was furious when he recalled the first leg of the league match against Manchester City!
His conflict with Pellegrini that day even escalated into a brawl between players from both teams, thus beginning his feud with the Chile.
Enemies meeting are bound to be furious, and Tang Long's swift return only adds to Professor Wenger's stress.
What to do?
It's time to unleash the ultimate weapon!